After report about ‘stalled’ drone deal with India, US says it continues to discuss proposal

The United States “continues to discuss” a deal to sell high-altitude drones to New Delhi, the country’s Embassy to India said on Wednesday amid reports that Washington held back the proposal till New Delhi investigated an alleged plot to kill a Sikh separatist, according to The Hindu.

On Wednesday, a report in The Wire said that the United States has held back the delivery of the drones until India conducts a “meaningful investigation” into an alleged conspiracy involving an Indian government agent to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

The proposed $3 billion (Rs 24,911.65 crore) deal involves buying 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy and eight Sky Guardian drones each for the Air Force and Army.

Commenting on the report, the spokesperson for the Embassy said: “We continue to discuss with US Congress the potential sale consistent with standard processes and policies guiding such arm sales decisions...As part of the standard process, the State Department routinely engages foreign affairs committees prior to formal notification to address questions from committee staff.”

In a similar vein, US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the country’s administration routinely consults members of the United States Congress who are on foreign affairs committees before formally notifying arms sales. He, however, declined to comment on when the formal notification might...

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